MN wildfires: Progress continues in fight against Brimson Complex fire
The Brief
Firefighter crews are making steady progress against the wildfires in northern Minnesota.
The Camp House fire remains at 90% containment with just over 12,000 acres burned.
The Jenkins Creek fire is 78% contained as of Sunday, up from 75% on Saturday, with just over 16,000 acres burned.
BRIMSON, Minn. (FOX 9) - While the majority of the wildfires in northern Minnesota are under control, authorities warn that some areas with "lingering heat" still pose a risk as tourists visit during the holiday weekend.
Camp House fire
The Eastern Area Incident Management Team (EAIMT) said on Sunday that the Camp House Fire is still 90% contained with no new growth.
Authorities have reassigned resources to prepare for any new fires in the area as tourists are expected to visit during the holiday weekend.
Despite the majority of the fires being under control, firefighters say there are still areas with lingering heat that pose risks of spreading.
Crews are now focused on patrolling the fire line and extinguishing hot spots. They are also working on suppression repair on contingency lines, restoring disturbed areas, erosion control, removing hazards, protecting natural resources, and repairing fire lines.
What caused the fire
EAIMT says the fire initially started on private land and moved into the Superior National Forest.
It is believed to have started around 1 p.m. on May 11 in Ault Township, about two miles northeast of Brimson, Minnesota.
While the report states the cause of the fire is still under investigation, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay previously told FOX 9 the fire appears to have started with a camp fire that was left unattended. He added that the DNR has identified the person who started the fire.
Jenkins Creek fire
The Jenkins Creek fire is 78% contained as of Sunday, slightly more than the 75% containment that was reported the day before.
Authorities say sunny skies and low humidity could lead to further fire growth, but any growth would be slow due to ongoing containment efforts.
Crews are now focused on chipping, hazard tree removal and log hauling operations along the fire's northwest edge in order to reduce roadside fuel.
The EAIMT adds that a new incident management team will take over fighting the fire on Tuesday, May 27.
What caused the fire
The Jenkins Creek Fire started on May 12 near Hoyt Lakes, just north of the Camp House wildfire. The fire was detected east of County Road 110 and north of County Road 16 near Jenkins Creek.
EAIMT says the Jenkins Creek fire was caused by human activity, but the investigation is ongoing.
The St. Louis County Sheriff previously told FOX 9 the fire might have started with a discarded cigarette along Highway 16, as it began near a roadway.
The Source
This story uses information shared by the Eastern Area Incident Management Team and past FOX 9 reporting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Minnesotans flock outside despite smoke from wildfires in Canada
The Brief Smoke from wildfires in Canada has entered Minnesota, just in time for a warm weekend when many were hoping to get outdoors. On Sunday, many ignored the smoke and went ahead with their plans to exercise around the Twin Cities. Air conditions are expected to improve later this week. (FOX 9) - Wildfire smoke drifted from Canada into the Twin Cities on a weekend when the weather had many hoping to get outside. But at parks around the metro, people were sticking it to Mother Nature on Sunday. Many Minnesotans went outdoors to ride bicycles, play volleyball, kayak, or sunbathe. Some say they recognized that air quality was compromised but wanted to do things anyway. "It's not the best… definitely the air quality is not great," Sid Shad told FOX 9. "We do have to live our lives… you have to deal with it." What they're saying FOX 9 Meteorologist Cody Matz says he expects the smoky air to linger through Monday. June 2, until winds shift to give us a bit of a reprieve. In the meantime, Matz suggests, "if you smell smoke, then it's usually thick enough to where you're going to run into some health issues. It's not instantaneous, [but] if you're spending large amounts of time outside, at some point your lungs may start to burn a little bit. You may have some breathing trouble, so it's just a recommendation to get inside, seek filtered air to help relieve that stress on your body," Matz said. The backstory Summer season is wildfire season in Canada, and already this season, at least a dozen wildfires have scorched over a million acres of land in Canada.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Northern Lights in MN: Wildfire smoke could make the aurora difficult to see
The Brief There is a potential for vibrant Northern Lights Sunday night that could be visible for much of the northern United States. Haze from wildfire smoke might make the aurora more difficult to see in Minnesota. The best times to view the aurora are generally around the midnight hour. (FOX 9) - The Northern Lights are expected to be visible Sunday night, but haze from wildfire smoke might spoil the show for Minnesota. What we know The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a severe (G4) level geomagnetic storm on Sunday evening. Geomagnetic storms are what fuel the aurora and a G4 is the second-strongest level of storm. The NOAA forecast shows the aurora could be visible as far south as central Iowa. What's next Typically, the best times to view the aurora are around the midnight hour. It appears that's about the time the storm will be at its strongest in the overnight hours. The other side Unfortunately for Minnesota, smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has made skies hazy across the state, and particularly in areas to the north. While it might not be impossible to see the aurora, FOX 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard compares it to a foggy morning. He says it is worth taking a look in your area, to see if you can spot anything, but it's probably not worth traveling a far distance to seek out the aurora. Much of Minnesota is under an unhealthy air quality alert due to smoke. What you can do The NOAA recommends the following tips for the best chance to see the Northern Lights. It's generally better to go north (but with the smoke, that might not be the case tonight). Go to areas with less light pollution. You can use this map to find the best spots near you. Spring and fall are often the best times to see the aurora, because "the subtleties in the way the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetosphere" can create larger geomagnetic storms.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Minnesota weather: Warm and hazy weekend ahead
The Brief Hazy sunshine will stick around this weekend through Monday — at times, smoke will reach the surface. It'll be dry and warm this weekend with light winds. The next chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives late Monday into Tuesday. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - This weekend will have temperatures in the 80s with light winds, but smoky sky conditions will persist. Local perspective Temperatures will warm into the lower 80s on Saturday afternoon with light winds. A smoky sky can be expected, with some smoke reaching down to the surface. This will lead to periods of poor air quality that should be monitored. Sunday looks warmer yet with light winds and hazy sunshine. What's next Monday is the hottest day of this forecast. Some areas could hit the 90-degree mark with more of the smoky sunshine and surface smoke possible. A front moves through on Monday night into Tuesday and brings the next chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures trend more seasonable for the rest of the week, likely staying in the mid-70s under a partly sunny sky. A few sprinkles may pass by Thursday and Friday. The Source This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather team.
